Alcohol is a part of many cultures and traditions worldwide. Many social events or gatherings would not be complete without alcoholic beverages. Likewise, many people consume alcohol in the company of others or independently. It provides stimulating effects that help a person relax or destress in moderate amounts. Nevertheless, minimal intake can still affect a person’s sensory perception and increase safety risks. Moreover, people who do not check their alcohol level before driving have a higher probability of getting in an accident. Because of this, the demand for alcohol testers increases to help limit road hazards. Devices like the BACtrack Element and S80 Pro are valuable in ensuring personal safety and preventing drink driving.

The BACtrack Element and the BACtrack S80 Pro are portable devices that estimate a person’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) through the breath. An alcohol test through a breathalyser is the most cost-efficient method to determine the intoxication level. Additionally, it is the standard procedure of law enforcement to check a person’s BAC because it is non-invasive and provides fast results. Moreover, the prevalence of affordable breathalysers helps deter impaired driving and reduces accidents. As a result, more people avail personal devices from Breathalysers New Zealand to moderate consumption and keep within the allowed alcohol limit. 

Review of the BACtrack Element Features

The BACtrack Element is a reliable testing device to determine the alcohol level accurately. It utilises the Xtend fuel cell sensors to give precise BAC readings. Additionally, breathalysers with fuel cell sensors provide high accuracy, sensitivity and consistency than semiconductor breathalysers. In a breath test, the platinum fuel cell sensors undergo an electrochemical process to oxidise ethyl alcohol. The reaction produces small electrical currents based on the concentration of alcohol in the breath and converts it into BAC. Moreover, the BACtrack Element has the following key features:

• Fuel cell sensor technology
• Battery Life – BACtrack Element can perform up to 1,000 tests
• Warm-up time – The device takes 10 to 20 seconds to warm up the sensors for the test.
• Response time – The sensors analyse the breath sample and display the BAC results within 10 seconds. 
• Detection range – The breathalyser can accurately trace alcohol concentrations from 0.00 to 0.400% BAC. 

BACtrack Element vs BACtrack S80 Pro: What are their Differences?

Breathalysers depend on the quality of the sensors and extra functions to provide dependable and efficient breath tests. Similar to the BACtrack Element, the S80 Pro also employs the Xtend fuel cell sensor technology with enhanced linear accuracy for fast and reliable BAC results. However, there are several distinctions between the Element and S80 Pr0. The BACtrack S80 Pro has the following functions:

• Adjustable settings – The S80 Pro has flexible blow time, blow strength and audible warning settings. For example, you may regulate the length of the blow to give a sufficient breath sample. Likewise, stronger blow strength gives an increased accuracy. Lastly, you may set the unit to alert at different levels.
• Response time – The BACtrack S80 delivers the BAC results in three seconds. It is faster than most breathalysers, giving more efficiency, especially for consecutive testing. 
• Battery Life – The breathalyser can perform up to 1,500 tests before battery replacement. 
• BAC results – A notable difference between the BACtrack Element and S80 is the BAC display. The S80 shows the BAC results up to three decimal places, giving a more exact estimation. 
• Continuous temperature checking – To ensure breath sample consistency. 

How to Choose a Breathalyser

Breathalysers are handy devices that you can carry anywhere. When you cannot turn down a drink offering, a personal device helps you stay on top of your consumption. Therefore, choosing a breathalyser is crucial to managing your intake and keeping you safe. Moreover, selecting a breathalyser depends on your purpose. For dependable alcohol checking, a fuel cell breathalyser like the BACtrack Element and S80 Pro is suitable. Most alcohol testers at Breathalysers New Zealand employ fuel cell sensors. Likewise, it is the same technology that police use in roadside screening. Another vital consideration is the convenience or ease of use. The BACtrack devices have a one-touch operation to conduct breath tests faster. Additionally, the programmable settings and quick response of the BACtrack S80 enable you to check your BAC more efficiently.

People rely on the accuracy of a breathalyser to make decisions. Thus, it is crucial to get a device that has passed rigorous testing. The BACtrack Element and the S80 Pro are FDA-approved breathalysers and DOT-compliant, meeting all requirements for a breath screening device. Lastly, many people also consider the cost of breathalysers. Fuel cell breathalysers are more expensive than semiconductor breathalysers. However, fuel cell sensors remain consistent for longer and are specific to ethanol. Therefore, they are less likely to produce false positives. For longer use and high accuracy, a fuel cell breathalyser like the BACtrack is a worthwhile investment.

BACtrack Element: Uses of Breathalysers

Before personal breathalysers were available, individuals did not have a reliable tool to measure their BAC or impairment degree. Thus, many people tend to consume more than they can manage. Fortunately, the availability of pro-grade devices like the BACtrack Element and S80 Pro enables consumers to monitor their alcohol levels more effectively. It also benefits more people in various settings. For example, professional breathalysers let workplaces conduct frequent alcohol testing to manage safety risks. Administering workplace alcohol screening reduces accidents and deters alcohol use or impairment. Furthermore, breathalysers efficiently monitor sobriety for people undergoing treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Likewise, it helps parents monitor their children’s consumption. 

Getting a Personal Pro-grade Breathalyser

For regular consumers, a breathalyser is a must-have item. The availability of personal devices helps keep roads or workplaces safer. Additionally, it helps people understand how their bodies process alcohol. A practical method to avoid consuming alcohol at a risky level is using devices with police-grade accuracy. Devices like the BACtrack Element and S80 Pro minimises the health and safety impacts of alcohol use. Moreover, to get the most accurate results, always follow the guidelines in using a breathalyser. Always wait for twenty minutes after eating, drinking, or smoking before taking a breath test. The period allows the alcohol to reach the lungs. 

You may check your BAC after a few glasses to see how the alcohol level change. Also, be aware that several factors can influence the BAC, such as weight, body size, tolerance level, food intake, and metabolism rate. The BACtrack Element and the BACtrack S80 Pro have a robust breath checking system to give consistent readings in consecutive tests. You may get the BACtrack Element from retail or online stores. Meanwhile, the BACtrack S80 Pro is available online at Breathalysers New Zealand. Availing of a pro-grade breathalyser is a smart way to protect yourself and others. You may also view similar devices or get one for workplace use at Breathalysers NZ.